German brand details new drop-top supercar.

New Audi R8 Spyder price revealed

German brand details new drop-top supercar.

New Audi R8 Spyder price revealed

Audi offers up some performance focused al fresco motoring with its new R8 Spyder.

Following on from the Audi R8 Coupe which was launched last year, the German car maker is now offering the convertible variant down under.

Priced from $388,500 before on-road costs, the Spyder variant commands a $33,600 premium over the fixed roof model.

While the price might seem extreme, so is the performance which comes in the form of a naturally aspirated mid-mounted 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine that pumps out 397kW and 540Nm and is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic.

Audi claims that the R8 Spyder can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds while having a top speed clocked at 318km/h.

2017 Audi R8 Spyder V10 2017 Audi R8 Spyder. Photo: MANUEL HOLLENBACH

Drivers are treated to a meaty roar thanks to the sport exhaust system that plays its tune through gloss black tailpipes.

Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system alters the amount of power delivered to either the front or rear wheels depending on driving conditions, with 100 per cent delivered to either axels in extreme cases.

As is befitting a circa $400k machine, Audi has kitted out the interior with a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system as well as Audi new virtual cockpit which features a 12.3-inch digital instrument display that presents the cars performance and premium material used throughout the cabin.

2017 Audi R8 Spyder. Photo: Daniel Wollstein

The cloth hood of the R8 Spyder can be opened and closed in 20 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h.